There were superficial reasons—when he thundered on the political scene at the Democratic Convention in 2004 and then rode on the wave of that thunder to his election in 2008—to compare Barack Obama with Abraham Lincoln. There was the Illinois connection, for instance, and the gifted orator connection, and the “new birth of freedom” connection. Add to these the evident high esteem, even reverence, held by Obama for that towering mentor of his spirit, and it is easy to link the two of them. But what about things deeper than the surface?
A sobering intimation arose in me, in the wake of the euphoria following Obama’s election, that if the similarities between him and Lincoln did, in fact, go deeper, then it would most clearly be revealed if adversity, not smooth sailing, is what he would meet, if failure, not success, is what he would have to deal with. For it was the manner in which Lincoln met adversity and failure which taught us the most.
It is safe to say, six years later, that adversity indeed is what Obama has faced, along with the failure to achieve much that he had hoped to achieve. We now know with dismaying clarity how white-hot is the determination of a sizable minority that this President utterly fail, that his major healthcare achievement be gutted and that his every new proposal be obstructed.
The point here is not to argue politics and policies. The point is to bring the memory of Abraham Lincoln to bear on the present presidency, to see what it might tell us about the character of Barack Obama.
If anyone knew adversity from the beginning of his presidency, it was Abraham Lincoln. Even before he took office, seven Deep South states had seceded because he had been elected. Though he would not, because constitutionally he could not, touch slavery where it already existed, he made it clear, as did the Republican platform he ran on, that he would do everything in his power to prevent its extension. And then on the very day he was sworn in, he received a telegram about the crisis brewing at Ft. Sumter in Charleston Harbor that could inaugurate civil war. Adversity from the start, and few, if any, pleased.
Listen to Frederick Douglass, himself one of Lincoln’s harshest early critics:
“Reproaches came thick and thin upon him from within and from without, and from opposite quarters. He was assailed by abolitionists; he was assailed by slaveholders...Viewed from the genuine abolition ground, Mr. Lincoln seemed tardy, cold, dull, and indifferent; but measuring him by the sentiment of his country, a sentiment he was bound as a statesman to consult, he was swift, zealous, radical, and determined.”
Another of his early critics from the Left, Harriet Beecher Stowe, at first lamented Lincoln’s tardiness, coldness, dullness and indifference, but over time came to see deeper.
“Lincoln is a strong man, but his strength is of a peculiar kind...It is the strength not so much of a stone buttress as of a wire cable. It is a strength swaying to every influence, yielding on this side and on that to popular needs, yet tenaciously and inflexibly bound to carry its great end.”
Fast forward to Barack Obama. While his most vituperative critics are on the Right, the Left has hardly been kind to him when he has compromised on so much, delayed acting on so much, seemingly vacillated on so much. Assailed from both sides certainly fits, as does wire cable, swaying and yielding this way and that, yet tenaciously holding to the great end of a more just and compassionate nation.
But we haven’t yet touched what to me is the biggest thing, the thing that reveals character at its deepest. Breadth of vision and strength of will are indeed essential, but so too are capacity for empathy and kindness of heart. We go back to Abraham Lincoln for perhaps the purest expression.
“With malice toward none, with charity for all...What I deal with is too vast for malicious dealing...As I have not felt, so I have not expressed any harsh sentiment towards our southern brethren. I have constantly declared, as I really believed, the only difference between them and us, is the difference of circumstances. I have meant to assail the motives of no party, or individual; and if I have, in any instance (of which I am not conscious) departed from my purpose, I regret it.”
He didn’t just talk it, he lived it. No wonder Abraham Lincoln is loved by so many.
And no wonder many of us still stand back amazed at Barack Obama, yes, partially for his vision that our country must return to being of the people and not of the corporations, and yes, partially for what he has managed to achieve despite entrenched opposition, but equally for how he is responding to his failures, for how he is not responding in malice to the unrelenting disparagement heaped upon him. Will he continue to live according to the values which Lincoln not only espoused but lived? We of course don’t know, as disillusionment has been known to spring like a brigand from the bush. But if six years of testing have not found Obama wanting, if he has neither returned rancor for rancor nor stopped tenaciously fighting for what he believes, we may have here, I submit to your consideration, the real McCoy, meaning a worthy carrier of the spirit of Abraham Lincoln.
Even though Maya Angelou addressed the following to her sisters, may each of us, in her or his heart, hear the exhortation from this phenomenal woman, who has just left us but whose spirit will never leave us, never to disown either our sweetness or our steel.
“Women should be tough, tender, laugh as much as possible, and live long lives. The struggle for equality continues unabated, and the woman warrior who is armed with wit and courage will be among the first to celebrate victory...You keep your sweetness always but inside that sweetness is a ball of steel.”
May your brothers as well as sisters be listening, Maya. May Barack Obama be listening. May each citizen not only of America but of Earth be listening for the sake of the only family. In our darker moments may we neither give up nor lash out. May we hold to sweetness without relinquishing the wire cable, the steel ball. May we listen to Abraham Lincoln from the wings urging us to allow ourselves once again to be touched by the better angels of our nature.
Your comment was posted successfully! Thank you!
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/fortnite-v-bucks-codes-free-list-2024-daily-redeem-code-5pkne
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-v-bucks-codes-april-2024-fortnite-epic-game-player-iptme
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-v-bucks-code-unused-list-2024-vbucks-emotes-outfits-c9rwe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-vbucks-fortnite-v-bucks-generator-2024-working-updated-pwi3e
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/freefortnite-v-bucks-generator-april-10-2024-apsao-exodus-esportss-gapfe
-
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/epic-games-free-robux-generator-2024-free-robux-new-codes-daily-cjwre
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-robux-methods-updated-all-ways-get-without-paying-pockemon-sxebe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-robux-generator-tools-2024-every-players-can-get-april-update-gi3se
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/working-free-roblox-robux-codes-generator-2024-tool-pockemon-bmexe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/epic-games-free-robux-generator-2024-free-robux-new-codes-daily-v1sue
-
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-tiktok-followers-likes-generator-new-method-2024-human-de3ae
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/10000-free-tiktok-followers-generator-2024-get-free-likes-pegie
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-1k-followers-tiktok-5-minutes-mario-kart-8-zbsre
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-get-1000-followers-tiktok-24-hours-free-mario-kart-8-ylzie
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/50000-free-tiktok-followers-generator-2024-get-free-likes-ephne
-
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/get-vbucks-fortnite-v-bucks-generator-2024-working-updated-jezue
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/true-offers-free-fortnite-v-bucks-codes-generator-2024-verification-kxgie
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-v-bucks-code-unused-list-2024-vbucks-emotes-outfits-jdhhe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/guides-free-v-bucks-codes-march-2024-get-2800-vbucks-one-dehpe
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/free-fortnite-v-bucks-generator-get-epic-games-collect-codes-q0kqe
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255990/fullhdxem-phim-vu-lam-linh-tap-11-12-vietsub-thuyet-minh
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255991/cuoc-chien-trong-chung-ta-tap-10-full-lau-vietsub-thuyet-minh-motchill
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255992/fullhdxem-phim-filing-for-love-tap-8-vietsub-thuyet-minh
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255993/xem-gia-nghiep-tap-1-2-fullhd-vietsub-thuyet-minh
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255994/the-heir-ep1-2-1-2-uncut-hd-2026
https://filingforloveep8.readme.io/reference/filingforloveep8thai
https://enemieswithbenefitsep3.readme.io/reference/enemieswithbenefitsep3thai
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255841/ep3-3-uncut-hd-2026
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255842/one-year-ep4-4-uncut-hd-2026
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255843/y-y-ep2-2-uncut-hd-2026
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255844/young-ep8-8-uncut-hd-2026
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255863/a-splendid-match-ep27-28-27-28-uncut-hd-2026
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255864/zhan-zhao-adventures-ep11-12-11-12-uncut-hd-2026
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11255865/filing-for-love-ep8-8-uncut-hd-2026
https://friendpaste.com/7ZZvcOdrhA0aGBRVM3Ls9e
https://atdcp.com/posts/43061
https://www.mymeetbook.com/post/1387667_https-www-researchhub-com-paper-11255990-fullhdxem-phim-vu-lam-linh-tap-11-12-vi.html
https://chobaolam.vn/threads/bvbdgry.877123/
https://rentry.co/wxp2aygn
https://tempel.in/view/ECTiZX
https://tagzfoods.com/blogs/news/the-law-of-attraction?comment=133818679536&page=4821&phcursor=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzayI6ImNyZWF0ZWRfYXQiLCJzdiI6IjIwMjMtMDEtMDYgMTE6MTU6MDkuMDAwMDAwIiwiZCI6ImYiLCJ1aWQiOjEzMTAzNTYyNzc2MCwibCI6NSwibyI6MCwiciI6IkNTIn0.1iqacs1nDYePgogG7qPWwaa0PsQ5o1tNPQdAHkRIcKw&srsltid=AfmBOop6f2oCHYlgJ3L_hM2zoV8uoaoc3cQMg-z86ZPVUepiMhIMz0du
https://themodushop.com/blogs/news/thanksgiving-week-sale?comment=136821768529&page=149&srsltid=AfmBOoopla8vCYqiYYKnDkyzd0_tdxEPda5suiW3qBoG-RVJ0Asy0re6
https://warmfolk.com/blogs/news/review-of-a-new-quilting-book-design-make-quilt-modern?page=23&phcursor=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzayI6ImNyZWF0ZWRfYXQiLCJzdiI6IjIwMjUtMDUtMjMgMTk6NDc6MjkuMDAwMDAwIiwiZCI6ImYiLCJ1aWQiOjEzMzE5MTY2MzY5NSwibCI6MTAsIm8iOjAsInIiOiJDUyJ9.sm_wMlbNIZdn4PH2-RdS6HQBx3GsmSdQEouuA8JHqF4
https://www.allinactionsports.com/blogs/news/zacahrya-dangerfield-welcome-to-colony-bmx?comment=129714651191&page=157&phcursor=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzayI6ImNyZWF0ZWRfYXQiLCJzdiI6IjIwMjQtMDQtMTAgMTk6Mzc6MTcuMDAwMDAwIiwiZCI6ImIiLCJ1aWQiOjEyOTcyMzk1NzMwMywibCI6NSwibyI6MCwiciI6IkNTIn0.Qy2IFsogYoXzAlf3rRE-h3bb7gRKPv2LGIFQrrfEqxY&srsltid=AfmBOopnsC2Ts_7bpaUwaKeDt-kppWHC0NEqpwCL7qh8AjhMG2Udy9V6
https://www.amphibianking.ie/blogs/training-ffor-brecca-swim-8k-run42k-and-ironman-barcelona/two-weeks-into-the-5k-plan-and-havent-seen-too-many-3-mins-something-a-kilometer?comment=129441136853&page=69&phcursor=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzayI6ImNyZWF0ZWRfYXQiLCJzdiI6IjIwMjMtMDYtMDkgMDk6NDc6NDMuMDAwMDAwIiwiZCI6ImIiLCJ1aWQiOjEzNTg3NDE4MzQ5NywibCI6NSwibyI6MCwiciI6IkNTIn0.s9nTtmUH1MuQO7RSKiUiIKxK_1e2SX_4dCCAg0rY_RA&srsltid=AfmBOoqnKyCetY6dieK8u-qegArHN3CImS56YyecgmWXEw9WkOLRqjgM
https://www.anchoredpress.com/blogs/news/your-one-word-for-2018
https://www.anthonypane.com/guestbook/
https://www.facebook.com/HorseGelatinMaleEnhancement.Get/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/horsegelatinmaleenhancement.online/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/horse.gelatin.for.men.reviews/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/horse.gelatin/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/horse.gelatin.reviews
https://www.facebook.com/events/750660241370097
https://groups.google.com/g/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement/c/FmifxXr_6CU
https://horse-gelatin-male-enhancement.blogspot.com/2026/05/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-official.html
https://thenutritiondeal.blogspot.com/2026/05/horse-gelatin-for-men-key-facts-about.html
https://sites.google.com/view/horse-gelatin-for-men-reviews
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/16h_U1UA4nwzgluas5KdmwgzYR_ei9Vhm?
https://hackmd.io/besttopsupplement/Horse-Gelatin-Male-Enhancement https://hackmd.io/besttopsupplement/Horse-Gelatin-For-Men
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Horse_Gelatin_Male_Enhancement_Unbiased_Complete_Consumer_Report_With_Reviews_Complaints_And_Findings_3_May_2026___lTgMmfjR2Gn4QdUqnH9KQ
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Horse_Gelatin_Male_Enhancement_How_to_Achieve_Peak_Performance_Naturally_3_May_2026__ibTEAev4Sx68V8j2JlHW5Q
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Horse_Gelatin_For_Men_Does_It_Really_Work__7MBSzPq2QEW2vtqJCjhulw
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Horse_Gelatin_For_Men_Unbiased_Review_Boost_Confidence_Stamina_and_Performance_3_May_2026__2uhMU9aOR_G6oPMrY8qp2A
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11227758/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-enhance-performance-naturally
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11227768/horse-gelatin-for-men-how-to-achieve-peak-performance-naturally
https://horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-2.jimdosite.com/
https://eventprime.co/o/horse_gelatin_for_men
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/horse-gelatin-for-men
https://site-4m703k46r.godaddysites.com/
https://contra.com/community/QoKkhRfQ-unlock-natural-male-performance-with-horse?
https://www.commudle.com/users/bad6324fc13cb8b4a7d28ffb49c5293d
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/884957395547078181
https://www.grepmed.com/Horse_Gelatin_Male_Enhancement
https://www.grepmed.com/Horse_Gelatin_For_Men
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmoo22s850efp01xr7t241nno
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmoo247cm09xl01ye4e5a0w5q
https://www.facebook.com/LyvarisGummies/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarisgummies/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarisgummiesreviews/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarismaleenhancementgummiesreviews/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarismaleenhancementgummiesofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1313836537361224/
https://sites.google.com/view/lyvaris-gummies/
https://site-g344brqvd.godaddysites.com/
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmoo8ggkd0af801yeffl1gqt9
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmoo8huty0euu01xr637u0feb
https://vgen.co/HorseGelatinForMenReviews
https://www.facebook.com/ManergyMaleEnhancement.Norway.NO/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergymaleenhancementnorway/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergymaleenhancementnorwayanmeldelser/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergymaleenhancementgummiesnorway/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergygummiesnorway/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1491078346077027/
https://sites.google.com/view/manergy-gummies-norway
https://site-o5fg1kkdg.godaddysites.com/
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmonw532t0duq01xrerjy7rqc
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmonw6vju026o01w0g7si8cee
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmonw8epk027601w02wld3uzk
https://www.facebook.com/Manergy.Male.Enhancement.France.Fr/
https://www.facebook.com/Manergy.Gummies.France/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergymaleenhancementfr
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergymaleenhancementfranceavis/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergygummiesfrance/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergymaleenhancementgummiesfrance/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/manergymaleenhancementgummiesavis/
https://www.facebook.com/events/2549038015574942
https://sites.google.com/view/manergy-gummies-france
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmomv7zmm06ha01w0dhk8c9w0
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmomvaafo06li01ye5f5w7epr
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmomvf9zs06hn01w048j0g0ok
https://shaveiceshaveice.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91455&sid=ae1b06483b76734c22ddee54aa01d666
https://forum.motoshkola.od.ua/threads/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-enhance-performance-naturally.249607/
https://forums.planetdestiny.com/threads/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-enhance-performance-naturally.83556/
https://social.neha.net.in/article/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-enhance-performance-naturally
https://profit.ly/user/GutLiteGummies/blog/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-enhance-performance-naturally
https://blogs.bangboxonline.com/posts/horse-gelatin-male-enhancement-enhance-performance-naturally
https://mewe.com/post/show/69f5b2e8b6fa085e84e35fa0
https://gettr.com/post/p3zp8y88162
https://www.facebook.com/LyvarisGummies/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarisgummies/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarisgummiesreviews/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarismaleenhancementgummiesreviews/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/lyvarismaleenhancementgummiesofficial/
https://www.facebook.com/events/1313836537361224/
https://www.trustpilot.com/review/en-lyvaris.com
https://groups.google.com/g/lyvaris-gummies/c/5FGKaG2HL9s
https://sites.google.com/view/lyvaris-gummies/
https://thenutritiondeal.blogspot.com/2026/05/lyvaris-gummies-rated-1-natural-male.html
https://lyvaris-gummies.blogspot.com/2026/05/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-is-it.html
https://colab.research.google.com/drive/13l7zg3i9yhCuXyGP7RpBkdj6KD-At5Aj?
https://hackmd.io/besttopsupplement/Lyvaris_Male_Enhancement_Gummies https://hackmd.io/besttopsupplement/Lyvaris_Gummies
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Lyvaris_Male_Enhancement_Gummies_Unbiased_Complete_Consumer_Report_With_Reviews_Complaints_And_Findings_3_May_2026__F18S4HQSSwyynT4MEHxr5w
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Lyvaris_Male_Enhancement_Gummies_100percent_Natural_Performance_Support_Gummies__YR7t1QFaTGO19EKowEcqig
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Lyvaris_Gummies_Does_It_Really_Work_For_Men__TsdkQJFVQiqB3nWrJ5AEQA
https://scribehow.com/viewer/Lyvaris_Gummies_Unbiased_Complete_Consumer_Report_With_Reviews_Complaints_And_Findings_3_May_2026__UHoG2hOPS2q8OfqgWr3jTQ
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11228194/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-we-tested-it-for-90-days-the-real-science-behind
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11228196/lyvaris-gummies-we-tested-it-for-90-days-my-honest-review
https://www.researchhub.com/paper/11228201/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-100-natural-performance-support-gummies
https://lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-reviews-2.jimdosite.com/
https://eventprime.co/o/lyvaris_male_enhancement_gummies
https://www.eventcreate.com/e/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies
https://site-g344brqvd.godaddysites.com/
https://www.commudle.com/users/844d9bbc3c56f9358f26ca76f353ea78
https://contra.com/community/oBmut4ls-boost-vitality-naturally-with-lyvaris-male
https://in.pinterest.com/pin/884957395547081536
https://www.grepmed.com/Lyvaris_Male_Enhancement_Gummies
https://www.grepmed.com/Lyvaris_Gummies
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmoo8ggkd0af801yeffl1gqt9
https://open.firstory.me/story/cmoo8huty0euu01xr637u0feb
https://vgen.co/Lyvaris-Gummies
https://shaveiceshaveice.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=91470&sid=acede4a9be4f4c795e3e2e57bb81faa5
https://forum.motoshkola.od.ua/threads/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-natural-testosterone-vitality.249782/
https://forums.planetdestiny.com/threads/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-natural-testosterone-vitality.83642/
https://social.neha.net.in/article/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-natural-testosterone—vitality
https://profit.ly/user/GutLiteGummies/blog/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-natural-testosterone—vitality
https://blogs.bangboxonline.com/posts/lyvaris-male-enhancement-gummies-natural-testosterone-vitality
https://mewe.com/post/show/69f5dcd7d25132790e4fa2d3
https://gettr.com/post/p3zpcsia741
#LyvarisGummies
#Lyvaris
#LyvarisReview
#LyvarisSupplement
#HealthAndWellness
#DailySupplements
#DietarySupplement
#NaturalWellness
#WellnessJourney
#HealthyLifestyle
https://github.com/lx63-devop/lx63
https://github.com/sw1ft-exec/swift
https://github.com/luna-execs/luna
https://github.com/hydrogenexecs/hydrogen
https://github.com/rc7-devop/rc7
https://github.com/xennoexecs/xeno
https://github.com/jjsploit-devz/jjsploit
https://github.com/deltaexc/delta
https://github.com/driftexecs/drift
https://github.com/xenodevopz/xeno
https://github.com/swiftdevz/swift
https://github.com/solaarexecs/solara
https://github.com/cod3x-devop/codex
https://github.com/arceusexecs/arceus
https://github.com/macsploitexecs/macsploit
https://github.com/rival-script/rival
https://github.com/forsaken-scrip/forsaken
https://github.com/bedwars-scr/bedwars
https://github.com/doorsrbx/doors
https://github.com/one-shot-devz/oneshot
https://github.com/pixel-blade-scr/pixelblade
https://github.com/blade-ball-devop/bladeball
https://github.com/dungeon-hunters-dev/dungeonhunters
https://github.com/prison-life-scr/prisonlife
https://github.com/heroesbattlegrounds/heroes-battlegrounds
https://github.com/arcane-odyssey-script/arcaneodyssey
https://github.com/boogadevz/booga-booga
https://github.com/combat-initiation-scr/combat-initiation
https://github.com/solo-hunters-scr/solo-hunters
https://github.com/fish-it-scrip/fishit
https://github.com/valexexecs/valex
https://github.com/solara-devopz/solara
https://github.com/vel0cityexec/velocity
https://github.com/wiki-volcano/volcano
https://github.com/z3uus-script/z3us
https://github.com/hydrogen-devz/hydrogen-mac
https://github.com/macsploitexe/macsploit
https://github.com/opiumware-devz/opiumware
https://github.com/macbookexecs/macbook